Burgettstown veteran awarded Legion of Honor 70 years after D-Day

Michael Vernillo is a Pittsburgher. He grew up in Burgettstown to Italian immigrant parents who spoke very little English, and 70 years ago this week, he did everything he could to save the world from Nazi Germany.

On D-Day the young sergeant was crammed into an LST boat headed for the French coastline, scared as hell.

“We couldn't land because the water was too high. They couldn't open those doors. So, the LST swerved a little bit and we went down on ropes,” said Vernillo.

Many of the troops, including Vernillo, couldn’t swim, either.

According to history, not one of the America, British or Canadian troops in the first wave to storm the beach survived. Vernillo was part of the second wave.

“And some of them, I know, drowned and some, there was a little wee boat there to take us to shore,” he said.

At the water line, Vernillo and the 14 men he was in charge of found a small hole in the Nazi offensive.

“(It) was unbelievable, dead (men) everywhere. But, we had to run. So, we zig-zagged up to the top of the hill,” he said.

From there, Vernillo and his fellow men dug in for 40 days and 40 nights until they could advance into the French countryside.

Fast forward 70 years and the French government is saying thank you to Vernillo and seven others who will be named as chevalier in the French order of the Legion of Honor.

“But to have that kind of purpose and ideology and sacrifice, their next thought wasn't of themselves, it was of their buddy next to them. My heart aches for the ones that didn't make it through,” said Vernillo’s friend, Frank Losos.

The French medal will be added to the four bronze stars and countless ribbons that are pinned to the tunic Vernillo wore home from Europe.

“I fought every battle in France. I lost all my officers, they were all killed. My captain and two officers were all killed,” he said.

Photos: Burgettstown veteran awarded Legion of Honor

Photos: Burgettstown veteran awarded Legion of Honor

Michael Vernillo is a Pittsburgher. He grew up in Burgettstown to Italian immigrant parents who spoke very little English, and 70 years ago this week, he did everything he could to save the world from Nazi Germany.

On D-Day the young sergeant was crammed into an LST boat headed for the French coastline, scared as hell.

“Who isn't afraid? You know? I didn't think I'd come out alive, because the men were dead. They had to move them with bulldozers so we could land,” said Vernillo.

And nothing went as planned. “We couldn't land because the water was too high. They couldn't open those doors. So, the LST swerved a little bit and we went down on ropes,” said Vernillo.

Many of the troops, including Vernillo, couldn’t swim, either. According to history, not one of the America, British or Canadian troops in the first wave to storm the beach survived. Vernillo was part of the second wave.

“And some of them, I know, drowned and some, there was a little wee boat there to take us to shore,” he said.

Fast forward 70 years and the French government is saying thank you to Vernillo and seven others who will be named as chevalier in the French order of the Legion of Honor.

The French medal will be added to the four bronze stars and countless ribbons that are pinned to the tunic Vernillo wore home from Europe.

“I fought every battle in France. I lost all my officers, they were all killed. My captain and two officers were all killed,” he said.